Fleet Air Arm's 100th Anniversary
2009 marks the Centenary Year of the Fleet Air Arm, the aviation element of the British Royal Navy. Jetwash Aviation Photos visited their bases at Culdrose and Yeovilton, together with the FOST detachment at Plymouth/Roborough to get to grips with how it has evolved into a force equipped with some 200 combat aircraft providing a multi-role capability for todays Royal Navy.
R.N.A.S Yeovilton
Otherwise known as H.M.S Heron, Yeovilton was established over 60 years ago and is home to the Royal Navy's Lynx ASW helicopters and the Commando Helicopter Force (CHF). Over 100 helicopters are currently based at Yeovilton and it was once also home to the Royal Navy's Sea Harrier force. Since their withdrawal and replacement with the Harrier GR.7 and GR.9 they have moved to their current base at R.A.F Cottesmore in Rutland, forming the Naval Strike Wing made up of 800 and 801 Naval Air Squadrons.
The Royal Navy's Commando Helicopter Force (CHF) forms part of the Joint Helicopter Command (JHC) that was established in 1999 when units from the Royal Navy, Royal Air Force and Army Air Corps combined to consolidate all battlefield helicopters into a single unit to support U.K ground operations. Four Naval Air Squadrons are assigned to the CHF, these being 845, 846 and 848 operating the Westland Sea King HC.4 & HAS6(CR), and 847 Naval Air Squadron operating the Westland Lynx AH.7.
Westland Sea King HC.4 ZF115 from 846 Naval Air Squadron seen in 'Arctic' camouflage
The CHF currently operate a mixed fleet of Sea King HC.4, introduced in 1979 and HAS.6(CR) helicopters. The HAS.6(CR) versions are converted from retired HAS.6 anti-submarine warfare models and have a similar troop carrying and lifting capability to the HC.4, which was designed for its specific role of a troop/transport helicopter able to carry up to twenty-seven troops on all-weather, day or night missions. An external cargo hook capable of lifting 6000lbs and a rescue hoist are also fitted as standard.
The Defensive Aids Suite incorporates a 7.62mm general purpose machine gun as well as Infra-red and radar guided anti-aircraft defence aids. A night vision capability is also provided. The HC.4's and HAS.6(CR)'s are distinghuishable from other Sea Kings by their dark green colour scheme, whilst the HC.4 is recognisable from the HAS.6 by its lack of sponsons on the main undercarriage.
Sea King HC.4 ZF121 in the more traditional 'Jungle Green' camouflage
As mentioned previously, the final squadron making up the Commando Helicopter Force is 847 Naval Air squadron flying the Westland Lynx Mark.7 (below). Formed in 1995, the principal task of 847 NAS is to support 3 Commando Brigade, Royal Marines on deployments worldwide. The units helicopters are actually owned by the British Army Air Corps, but flown and operated by Royal Navy and Marine pilots. Unlike the Mark.3 and Mark.8, the Lynx AH.7 is a light multi-role battlefield version of the helicopter, most distinguishable by its landing skids (as against a tricycle under-carriage) and of course the grey/green camouflage worn.
Royal Marines Lynx AH.7 from 847 NAS based at Yeovilton
Westland Lynx HMA.8 from 702 NAS
Primarily an anti-surface and anti-submarine helicopter designed to operate from the Royal Navy's Type 22 & 23 Frigates and Type 42 Destroyers, the Lynx is a fast and capable platform. Two basic versions are in use, the Mark.3 and the Mark.8, both armed with the Sea Skua anti-surface missile and Stingray torpedo the Lynx forms an integral part of the fleets detection and weapons system, with current versions going through an upgrade with the Central Tactical System and Passive Identification System. 702 NAS became the first Lynx squadron in 1978 when it re-formed at Yeovilton and as of today still maintains its responsibility for training aircrew and maintenance personnel. The other current Lynx squadron within the Royal Navy is 815 NAS which is also based at Yeovilton.
702 Naval Air Squadron Lynx HAS.3S ZD249. In comparison to the HMA.8 in the photograph above.
The absence of the drum radome housing the 'Seaspray' radar and the 'Sea Owl' Passive Identification Device (PID) above the nose can clearly be seen.
Lynx HAS.3(ICE) XZ235 from 815 NAS seen in the high visibility Antarctic scheme. Aircraft deployed to HMS Endurance,
the Royal Navy's Ice Survey Ship wear this scheme to make them more visible in case of having to ditch.
The primary role of grading young Naval and Royal Marine officers to assess their suitability for further training is undertaken by 727 Naval Air Squadron at RNAS Yeovilton utilising a small fleet of Grob G.115E Tutors. Throughout the year students spend three weeks with 727 NAS in which they fly approximately twelve hours with an instructor before a 'Final handling test' takes place to access their capabilities.
Five Grob Tutors are currently operated by the squadron under a private finance initiative with VT Group's Aerospace Division (as per the Royal Air Force). The instructors are a mix of naval and VT Aerospace personnel.
Grob 115E Tutor belonging to VT Aerospace as used by 727 Naval Air Squadron
R.N.A.S Culdrose
Naval Air Station Culdrose (H.M.S Seahawk) is located in the far south west of Cornwall close to Helston. Being one of Europe's largest helicopter bases it houses the Royal Navy's Anti-Submarine Warfare (ASW), Anti-Surface Warfare (ASuW) and Airborne Surveillance & Control squadrons. A search and rescue squadron is also on call here 365 days a year using the Sea King HU.5 (SAR). Fixed-wing operations are conducted by the Fleet Requirements Air Direction Unit (FRADU) with Bae Hawks and 750 Naval Air Squadron with Jetstreams.
Culdrose is home to the Royal Navy's fleet of Merlin HM.1 squadrons, made up of 814 Naval Air Squadron (NAS), 820 NAS, 824 NAS and 829 NAS. Primarily employed in the Anti-Submarine Warfare (ASW) role and equipped with sonics and sonor systems the aircraft also utilises an anti-surface warfare capability.
In service from December 1998 the Agusta-Westland Merlin HM.1 is designed to operate from the Royal Navy's aircraft carriers, Type 23 Frigates and the Fleet replenishment ships of the Fleet Auxiliary. Aircraft armament comprises four BAE 'Stingray' homing torpedoes or Mk.11 depth charges with mission systems and tactical displays fed via its Ferranti 'Blue Kestrel' radar mounted under the nose. The Merlin is undoubtedly the most modern ASW platform available today and is equipped with a Smiths Industries OMI SEP 2 dual redundant digital air flight control system with an Alenia Marconi Systems aircraft management computer. The suite of sensors includes: BAE Systems LINS300 ring laser gyroscope inertial reference unit, LISA-4000 strapdown attitude heading reference system, Thales 91E doppler velocity sensor, Cossor global positioning sensor, two Thales AHV-16 radar altimeters and a BAE Systems low-airspeed sensor and air data system.
In January 2006, Lockheed Martin UK was awarded the contract for the Merlin capability sustainment plus (CSP) upgrade programme. Thirty helicopters are to be upgraded under the contract, with a further eight on option. The programme is planned to sustain capability until the planned 2030 out-of-service date. The planned upgrades include: improvements to mission system processing, new touch-screen flat-panel flight displays and upgrades to the Blue Kestrel radar and sonar systems wth entry into service for the upgraded helicopter planned for 2013. Thales UK was awarded the contract for upgrades to the acoustic processing suite in July 2006.
ZH837 sits outside the Merlin Deep Maintenance Facility (MDMF) at RNAS Culdrose awaiting a check flight.
Royal Air Force Merlins are also overhauled at the MDMF at Culdrose.
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Operating the Westland Sea King HU.5 in the Search & Rescue (SAR) role at Culdrose is 771 Naval Air Squadron. The unit provides a 15 minute alert status form sunrise to sunset and 45 minutes at night, two aircraft always being on alert status and ready to go.
First formed at Lee-On-Solent in 1939 flying fixed wing aircraft it became the first R.N unit to fly helicopters when it operated the Hoverfly in 1945. It assumed its current SAR role in 1974 with the Westland Whirlwind HAR.3, moving to Culdrose at the same time. The Sea King entered 771 NAS service in 1988, replacing the Wessex helicopter. With its greater lift capability, longer range and improved avionics suite the squadron assumed a long-range, day/night, all-weather capability. 771 NAS also provides advanced and operational flying training for all Royal Navy Sea King pilots and observers in addition to its 24 hour SAR duties. With its location in the far west of the U.K in close proximity to the Atlantic shipping lanes and popular summer holiday resorts 771 NAS is the second busiest SAR unit in the United Kingdom.
771 Sqn Sea King HU.5 ZA167
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Sea King HU.5 XV648 was painted in the original R.N colour scheme to commemorate 40 years of service
The Westland Sea King ASaC.7 was introduced into Royal Naval service post Falklands when it became clear that Airborne early warning was an essential part of air power at sea. Originally introduced into service as the Sea King AEW.2 variant the designation was later changed to that currently used (Airborne Surveillance and Control). The ASaC.7 Sea King variant entered service in May 2002 and offers tactical control for the Naval Strike Wing (800 & 801 Naval air Squadrons) flying the BAE Harrier, together with other shore and carrier based aircraft. Able to detect low flying aircraft using its Thales Searchwater 2000 radar in conjunction with the Cerberus mission system this particular variant serves with three Naval Air squadrons (849, 854 and 857) based at Culdrose.
FRADU is operated by the contractor Serco Defence and Aerospace using thirteen British Aerospace Hawk T.1 aircraft leased to the Royal Navy by the Royal Air Force. However a two aircraft element is permanently based at Yeovilton, detached to the Naval Flying Standards Flight and these are flown by RN pilots. All FRADU pilots are ex-military with fast jet backgrounds and tasks include simulated ship attacks, fighter controller training, AEW exercises and helicopter fighter affiliation training.
During ship attacks the unit works in conjunction with FOST (Flag Officer Sea Training) and also Cobham Aerospace, who operate Dassault Falcon 20 aircraft in providing target towing and radar threat simulation for Royal Navy warships.
During 2009 several FRADU Hawks were painted with a 'Fly Navy 100' Scheme as seen on XX301 above
750 Naval Air Squadron operates the Scottish Aviation Jetstream T.2 and it's primary task is to provide training for Fleet Air Arm Observers. Upon completion of their training they are then assigned to a squadron operating the Sea King ASaC.7, Merlin or Lynx helicopters.
The Jetstream T.2 entered service withn the Royal Navy in October 1978 and has a nose mounted radar and two navigation consoles for a student and an instructor. It is powered by two Turbomeca 16D turboprop engines. Another variant of the Jetstream, dubbed the T.3 is operated by Heron Flight at RNAS Yeovilton for operational support and communications. Having given many years of venerable service the aircraft is due for replacement, with the Beechcraft King Air the most likely contender, although no firm orders have yet been forthcoming.
Jetstream T.2 XX476 from 750 Squadron based at Culdrose
R.A.F Shawbury
705 Naval Air Squadron forms part of the Defence Helicopter Flying School based at RAF Shawbury in Shropshire. The DHFS was born out of a defence study report of 1994 which led to a single site being selected to provide tri-nation basic helicopter training using contractor owned aircraft.
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As the Royal Navy element of the D.H.F.S, 705 Naval Air Squadron provides instrument flying, navigation, night flying and SAR techniques using the Aerospatiale AS.350 Squirrel HT.1. The Squirrel replaced the Royal Navy's Aerospatiale Gazelles when the school became operational in 1997. Powered by a single Ariel 1D1 gas-turbine engine, driving a conventional 3-bladed main rotor and twin blade tail rotor it provides a three hour endurance capability and a 115 knot cruising speed.
DHFS aircraft are operated in a black and yellow scheme and being 'pooled' between the three services (Army, Navy and Air Force) they do not carry any form of squadron marks or service identifier.
R.A.F Cottesmore
As mentioned previously the Naval Strike Wing is based at RAF Cottesmore in Rutland as part of 'Joint Force Harrier' alongside the Royal Air Force units. It was formed on 9th March 2007 and comprises 800 and 801 Naval Air Squadrons operating former Royal Air Force Harrier GR.7 and GR.9's. The wing is currently deployed to Kandahar Airfield in Afghanistan to support British and Coalition Forces.
The strike wing came into being when the last British Aerospace Sea Harrier FA.2's were withdrawn from service and subsequently replaced with ex-RAF Harrier ground attack versions. Future plans are for the Joint Strike Fighter (JSF) to replace the Harriers in service with a £1.3 billion deal already having been signed. With 150 of these new supersonic aircraft planned they will see service on the Royal Navy's new aircraft carriers, which were planned to enter service in 2012, although that date now looks likely to be delayed. Unlike the Harrier, the JSF is a capable all-weather multi-role airframe capable of air interdiction as well as reconnaissance and ground attack.
British Aerospace Harrier GR.7A of the Naval Strike Wing
Plymouth/Roborough
Flag Officer Sea Training, better known as FOST provides basic and advanced operational training on behalf of the Royal Navy and other overseas naval forces. Its main task is to certify crews and vessels as fit to join the operational fleets of their respective naval force. Formed in 1958 it currently flies two Aerospatiale (now Eurocopter) AS.365N2 Dauphin's from Plymouth/Roborough Airport in Devon, having moved there from Naval Air Station Portland in 1999.
AS.365N2 Dauphin ZJ164 at its home base of Plymouth/Roborough
(The white nose is non-standard having presumably been replaced prior to painting)
The two helicopters currently in use since 1996 are actually owned by British International Helicopters on lease to the Royal Navy. Both Dauphin's carry military serials, these being ZJ164 and ZJ165. All aircrew and maintenance personnel are civilian contractors although all of the aircrew have previous military experience. As well as the roles detailed above the two helicopters also perform Medical Evacuation (MEDEVAC) duties as and when required together with being 'on call' for general transport duties for senior Royal naval personnel.
The AS.365N2 Dauphin is a twin-engined medium-weight helicopter available in both civil and military specification (known as the Panther). It is powered by two Turbomeca Arriel 1C2 engines, normally flies with one pilot and up to eleven passengers.